Enteral Feedings Flashcards
What is enteral nutrition?
Provision of nourishment in liquid form directly into the stomach or upper intestine through a feeding tube
When is enteral nutrition indicated?
- To provide nutritional support
- To prevent/treat malnutrition
What are the advantages of enteral feeding compared to parenteral feeding?
- Easier, safer, less expensive, and more physiologic.
- Better utilized by the body.
- Maintains the structure and functional capacity of the GI tract
- Prevents cholestasis by stimulating bile flow.
- Improves systemic immunity and lowers risk for infection
What are the different routes for enteral feeding?
- Nasogastric,
- Nasointestinal/Nasoenteric (Nasoduodenal, Nasojejunal)
- Gastrostomy
- Jejunostomy
How long does an enteral feeding usually take?
4 hours
What needs to be done before every enteral feeding in an open system?
Wash the bag before adding formula
What is a Gastrostomy tube? What is it used for?
- Stoma created in abdominal wall
- Permits a short feeding tube to be inserted into the stomach
When can a patient with a newly inserted gastrostomy tube begin feeding?
- If the patient underwent general anesthesia for gastrostomy, he may have an ileus for the first 24 hrs.
- Gastric decompression is usually ordered until bowel motility returns to normal.
- Wait at least 24 hours after placement to begin feedings, as ordered.
What is a PEG tube (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy) and what is it used for?
- Using an endoscope, tube placed into stomach
- Most popular approach for gastrostomy
- Held in place by internal/external retention device
- Holds on external piece allow air to reach skin and decrease risk of maceration
What is a PEG/J tube? (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy-jejunostomy tube) What is it used for?
- Tube placed into stomach AND jejunum
- Used for gastric decompression and simultaneously deliver enteral feedings into jejunum
- Held in place by internal/external retention devices
How do we confirm the placement of an enteral feeding tube? How often do we check?
- Radiography to confirm location at first
- Check pH q4h afterwards
- Check placement before every intermittent feeding, and every shift for continous feeding
What is a Low-Profile Gastrostomy device? (LPGD). What is it for?
- Anchored in stomach (usually into mature gastrostomy tract) and protrudes above skin
- Permits greater independence and more acceptably cosmetic
What device is found on an LPGD tube?
- An antireflux valve to keep contents from leaking onto skin
- Difficult to accidentally dislodge, so ideal for children and confused patients
What medications can you not crush and send down a feeding tube?
Anything long-acting or has enteric coating
What is a Jejunostomy tube? What is it used for?
- Placed in jejunum
- Used for long-term post-plyroric enteral feedings when bypassing the stomach is desirble (gastric disease, abnormal emptying, upper GI obstruction, etc.)